What car should I get?

[Feersty]

Y'all know that I have never really had a car of my own(that I have liked) and have been thinking about what to get. But I am still not sure yet. Here is the previous thread that I made to try and narrow down what I want, but my attitude on what to get changes ever week. Here is that thread:

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This is what I have come up with...


Not a target for thieves (this is important to appease worry, when I leave the car)
Good fuel economy
Handles well
Power windows, locks, steering
AC not required but a plus
Sedan or coupe but prefer hatch
Low curb weight
Autocross or track capable
Manual transmission
Cheap to maintain
Large aftermarket
Pleasing to the eye
Decent torque
Can go in parking garage
Prefer RWD or AWD, but FWD is fine
Comfortable on a 2 hr+ trip
Make the ride semi pleasing for passengers

[Mike]

you're almost looking for something that doesn't exist.

low weight, rwd or awd, and decent torque do not go together... maybe a 240? they came in hatch form. how about a factory five cobra?

can go in a parking garage :?:

[JohnC]

can go in a parking garage :?:

So a 240 with a lift kit and some super swampers is probably out?

[Evan]

isnt this your 3rd or so "what car should I buy" thread?

[G.Irish]

You forgot to include price range.

Other than that my rough guesses would be:

E36 M3
Mazda 3
Mini Cooper S
Lexus IS300
Subaru WRX

You still haven't driven most of these cars I assume so really you need to do more work before you pose the question. You've still got at least 6 months before you're buying anyway.

Also, some of your criteria are sort of contradictory. When you say 'low curb weight' that means at least under 3000 lbs to me and the only cars that are performance oriented and under 3000 lbs and RWD or AWD are things like E30 BMW's, the last gen Impreza, and stuff like the Miata, MR2, 240SX, RX-7.

I assume you weren't going for a 2 seat convertible so E30, 240SX, Impreza, or RX-7. You don't want a 3rd gen RX-7 because of the reliability and I don't think you want a 2nd gen so that's out. The only E30 I think you'd really want is the M3 and that is expensive to maintain, so you're left with the 240SX or the Impreza 2.5RS. Neither is a bad choice and they're relatively cheap and have good aftermarket. Neither is particularly fast either unless you want to take on a swap.

[Sijray21]

i say just make a couple lists of what you like then go test drive a few when you're serious about getting them. I (for instance) didn't really liked the first civic i had, then i test drove another because it was cheap....loved it, so my mom ended up getting it for me.

Another instance was how i felt about the celica gts (newest model). I liked the car...then i got to drive it via a friend who bought one. I didn't like the pedal feel and drivablity at all.

I say take a few of the characteristics you listed and go with it first, then test drive them. If you don't like them, then add more and make a new list of cars. I personally like the following cars for everyday use:

Mazda3
RSX
WRX
Cooper S

don't forget to look at the used car market as well, you can find pretty nice cars for very affordable prices (ie: s2000's for $11.8k on autotrader, atleast i found one)

suit the car for your main need:


Performance Oriented
Luxury
Luxury + performance
luxury + economy
economy
etc...

then go from there

[Mike]

can go in a parking garage :?:

So a 240 with a lift kit and some super swampers is probably out?

not if it is on bags y0!

[G.Irish]

Mazda3
RSX
WRX
Cooper S

don't forget to look at the used car market as well, you can find pretty nice cars for very affordable prices (ie: s2000's for $11k on autotrader)

Don't buy an $11k S2K unless you are a glutton for punishment...

But yeah buy used. There is no car I could think of that would be worth you buying new right now except for maybe an Elise.

[Sijray21]

Don't buy an $11k S2K unless you are a glutton for punishment...

lol, what's wrong with a cheap s2k

[G.Irish]

Don't buy an $11k S2K unless you are a glutton for punishment...

lol, what's wrong with a cheap s2k

Well...that's around what salvage title S2k's go for. So you'd have to look out for frame damage, compressions, transmission grinds, stuff like that. It could be a good deal but chances are there's a big catch. The average price for an early st00k in good condition is about $16k-$19k.

Now if you're building a racecar it might be a different story.

Either way Jay, you should replace your Si with a S2000 :twisted:

[Sijray21]

Either way Jay, you should replace your Si with a S2000 :twisted:

haha, that'd be nice, well see... :twisted: :twisted:

but chose your car to suit your purpose for it...and be realistic, it's a big purchase...or a small one if you buy a peice.

[Ryan T]

If your looking to buy an S2000 for 16-19k I'd opt for a 97/98 LS1 corvette.

[Chris]

Either way Jay, you should replace your Si with a S2000 :twisted:

haha, that'd be nice, well see... :twisted: :twisted:

but chose your car to suit your purpose for it...and be realistic, it's a big purchase...or a small one if you buy a peice.

you know you'll get something with mad VTAK! I can't see you without it!

[Feersty]

Fwiw me and my boy went to Radley Acura looking to test drive the TSX but they only had one and it was automatic, we also never got approached.

Thanks for your input guys I appreciate it.

I am going to try and arrange a trip to Carmax to testdrive something....

[Mike]

we also never got approached.

go salesmen! they knew you weren't serious

[Myuki]

we also never got approached.

go salesmen! they knew you weren't serious

well, shouldn't they try to make him serious?

[Mike]

we also never got approached.

go salesmen! they knew you weren't serious

well, shouldn't they try to make him serious?

does he have the means to buy the car?

[Sijray21]

we also never got approached.

go salesmen! they knew you weren't serious

well, shouldn't they try to make him serious?

does he have the means to buy the car?

he doesn't know unless he has telepathy :-p

i used to wear my work clothes and go in my mom's car (2.8 z3) and say i'm interested in another car and i'd get instant test drives...hehehe :twisted:

that was fun, i'll have to do that again

[Mike]

because you looked like you had the means... car salesman are good at reading people, they're not going to waste their time.

[John]

because you looked like you had the means... car salesman are good at reading people, they're not going to waste their time.

I would disagree with that... most car salesman aren't really good salesman at all and lack the "reading" traits that could be found many years ago. I can't tell you how many times I have been into dealerships and I was ignored... promptly, those dealerships lost out on a potential purchase... Hell, half of them hardly speak any english these days...